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Volume 24, Issue 618 • January 31-February 13, 2019
Editorial Managing Editor Chris Tarbox 612-436-4692 Editorial Assistants Linda Raines 612-436-4660, Kassidy Tarala Editor Emeritus Ethan Boatner Editorial Associate George Holdgrafer Contributors Ellen Krug, Steve Lenius, Jennifer Parello, Randy Stern, John Townsend, Bradley Traynor, Carla Waldemar
Advertising Vice President of Sales & Advertising Barry Leavitt 612-436-4690 Senior Account Executive Suzanne Farrell 612-436-4699 Account Executives Nathan Johnson 612-436-4695 Richard Kranz 612-436-4675 Advertising Associate: George Holdgrafer Sales & Event Administration: Linda Raines 612-436-4660 Classifieds Suzanne Farrell 612-436-4699 National Sales Representatives Rivendell Media 212-242-6863
Creative Digital Director Mike Hnida 612-436-4679 Photographer Sophia Hantzes
Administration Publisher Lavender Media, Inc. President & CEO Stephen Rocheford 612-436-4665 Vice President & CC Pierre Tardif 612-436-4666 Chief Financial Officer Mary Lauer 612-436-4664 Distribution Manager/Administrative Assistant Michaelle Abraham 612-436-4660 Founders George Holdgrafer, Stephen Rocheford Inspiration Steven W. Anderson (1954-1994), Timothy J. Lee (1968-2002), Russell Berg (1957-2005), Kathryn Rocheford (1914-2006), Jonathan Halverson (1974-2010), Adam Houghtaling (1984-2012), Walker Pearce (19462013), Tim Campbell (1939-2015), Donald Tardif (19422018) Letters are subject to editing for grammar, punctuation, space, and libel. They should be no more than 300 words. Letters must include name, address, and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be published. Priority will be given to letters that refer to material previously published in Lavender Magazine. Submit letters to Lavender Magazine, Letters to the Editor, 7701 York Ave S, Suite 225, Edina, MN 55435; or e-mail <editor@lavendermagazine.com>.
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Entire contents copyright 2019. All rights reserved. Publication of the name or photograph of any person, organization, or business in this magazine does not reflect upon one’s sexual orientation whatsoever. Lavender® Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising. This issue of Lavender® Magazine is available free of charge during the time period published on the cover. Pickup at one of our distribution sites is limited to one copy per person.
OUR LAVENDER
FROM THE EDITOR | BY CHRIS TARBOX
Sexy And You Know It Well, Februar y is here, and that means one thing: Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is
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ing up your ensemble for when you want to get your freak on. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also graced with two great travel pieces from Mike Marcotte
a number of great Twin Cities organizations thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help you and your
and Carla Waldemar on their Celebrity Cruises and Puerto Vallarta
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A WORD IN EDGEWISE | BY E.B. BOATNER
Thoughts on Friendship and Fitness in 2019 Holidays evoke images of family and friends, get-togthers with food and beverage, communities of kindred spirits. Often, in my experience, these resemble childbirth, as the host moans, “Why did I do this? Now I remember why I swore it would be the last…” But forget drunken Uncle J, or that Thanksgiving Aunt M threw the gravy boat at Sam. Let’s consider friendship in these parlous times. Like many ageing, childless, only children, I don’t have relatives, so I make the most of my Un-Kin; email pre-Zuckerberg correspondents and Facebook friends, of which I have 261. Pre-Z, leaving a job meant severing ties with co-workers. In 2004, I was toiling at Marshall Field’s (Men’s Dress Shirts and Ties). “Anna” was my co-worker, an acerbic Polish lady with a strong accent and work ethic. Meticulous, demanding, opinionated, engaging. We talked of having dinner together, but never did. Twelve years later, I discovered her on Facebook, and now follow her international travels, photos of her stylish daughter, and her now-six-year-old grandson. Through Hellos, Happy Birthdays, Merry Christmas/Happy New Years, we connect.
This must seem pretty thin gruel for those outgoing, family-oriented folks who post epic photo albums of eating and drinking festivities, their kids and their exploits, family camping trips, but the mention of these idylls underscores yet another benefit I’ve realized in electronic friendships. Other than my old classmates, most of my e-friends are ten to thirty years younger. I wouldn’t realistically be invited to of their activities, nor would I want to be, but I derive much vicarious enjoyment snugged in my La-Z-Boy. (I also have several flesh-and-blood, visit-with friends.) Resolution 2019: Tone up, trim down. Yes, I know I’ve said that before. This year, I bought (on sale) a little step-counter. I used to kid that I had had one, but it kept calling 911. Friends would scoff, saying that I’d find I took more steps than I realize. I didn’t. But now, as the sun sets and the Garmin reads, say, “375,” I walk laps in the basement of our cooperative’s three connected buildings. I’m up to 3,000-plus/day. Thirty percent of the minimum the machine wants, yet ten times my norm. Friends, improved health; what more could I want? … Don’t get me started.
OUR SCENE
ARTS & CULTURE | SPOTLIGHT | BY JOHN TOWNSEND
ACTUALLY
Feb. 16-Mar. 10 Highland Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy. St. Paul 651-647-4315 www.mnjewishtheatre.org Actually by playwright Anne Ziegler takes on controversy with a script that looks into accusations of sexual assault among college students for Minnesota Jewish Theatre. Director Harry Waters Jr. shares, “It’s a timely topic, addressing victim shaming, racism, exploitation by friends as well as institutions. Calls to address sexual assault are calls to address our entire systemic preoccupation with how justice is meted out, who listens, and what can the consequences mean in relation to class and privilege. This is not a play that has some simple solution. It means we need to be more informed about how to talk to ourselves, each other and our communities.” JuCoby Johnson and Miriam Schwartz play the roles.
AKIRA KUROSAWA AND TOSHIRO MIFUNE FILM SERIES
Feb. 1-24 Trylon Cinema 2820 E. 33rd St., Minneapolis 612-424-5460 www.trylon.org If there is such a thing as “settled science”, the same could also be applied to art. It’s “settled art” that has placed Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998) in global reputation as the greatest classic Asian filmmaker. Moreover, his core actor, Toshiro Mifune (1920-1997), sits in the pantheon of the 20th century’s most iconic film stars. The two emerge after World War II, when the West still holds the men’s native Japan in understandably hateful contempt for their brutality and alliance with Nazi Germany. That both men would swoop into international respect a decade later is quite significant and a sign that it was time to heal the wounds of war. Through the ephemeral power of film and portraying our shared humanity, Kurosawa pricked the conscience of European and North American critics and audiences with works that wrestled with the demons all of us wrestle with. His gorgeous black-and-white visions draw from medieval East Asian myth and from Western archetypes as well. The Trylon presents some of his major works in February. Rashomon (1950) is considered to be a groundbreaker in film storytelling. It relates the story of a dead samurai told from the perspectives of four different people: the wife, a bandit, a woodcutter, and a medium who channels the dead man. Mifune plays the bandit. It also deals with the issue of rape. Feb. 1, 2,
Egypt's Sunken Cities. Photo by Jèrôme Delafosse
3. Red Beard (1965) plays the same weekend along with Rashomon. Mifune plays a bitter doctor and was his final collaboration with the maestro of Asian cinema. If you’re a Star Wars groupie, then you’ll want to catch The Hidden Fortress (1958), often compared to the George Lucas films (which he acknowledges). Rather than two lowly robots, two lowly peasants factor into the plotline. They become prisoners of war but escape after a prison revolt. From that point, Fate steps in to lead them to a mysterious castle. The man (Mifune) who guides them is in fact a general. Feb. 8, 9, 10. Also screening the same weekend is Throne of Blood (1957), Kurosawa’s re-imagining of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Mifune plays a 16th century general whose lesser self takes control of his soul. It was actually photographed on majestic Mount Fuji. In Stray Dog (1949) a detective played by Mifune finds evidence that his lost pistol was used in several crimes. I Live in Fear (1955) has Mifune play a man so fearful of the hydrogen bomb that he tries to move his family to Brazil. The atomic bombs dropped in Nagasaki and Hiroshima ten years before they were clearly in Kurosawa’s mind. Both play Feb. 15, 16, 17. Arguably, Kurosawa’s most revered of his many revered films is Seven Samurai (1954). This arresting tale of a village taken over by bandits and the men they hire for protection taps into the fear of the unexpected abruptly seizing a culture. Mifune plays one of the seven. Feb. 22, 23, 24. The Trylon does an admirable job of bringing in classic films from stateside and abroad so that they can be seen on the screen rather than the limited scope of
video and television screens. We can fully see the visual compositions as the filmmakers first perceived them.
EGYPT’S SUNKEN CITIES
Through Apr. 14 Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, 2400 3rd Ave. S. Minneapolis 888-642-2787 www.artsmia.org Stepping into the MIA’s Egypt’s Sunken Cities is stepping through a portal into a lost dimension. Over 250 artifacts discovered in an underwater excavation headed by Frenchman Franck Goddio cast a ritualistic spell. The Telegraph UK dubbed this underwater archaeologist a cross between Jacques Cousteau and Indiana Jones —an apt description for the man who explored Mediterranean waters to discover the lost cities of Canopus and Thonus-Heracleion (note the combination Greek and Egyptian names in the dual name of the latter). A hauntingly transcultural dualism infuses the exhibit. Statues, religious stone work, ceramics, and jewelry embody a mix of Greek influence and earlier sacred Egyptian mystery concepts. You’ll see a statue found in Canopus of Serapis, which was a new god evolved from the Osiris myth when the Greeks came into maritime power. Predating this, one striking piece relates the incestuous marriage between Osiris and his sister, Isis. The exclusion of their jealous excluded brother, Seth, was consequential in the fabled story of ancient Egypt. We as MIA visitors are privy to items that only the religious elite would have experienced millennia ago. The sacred ambience has been splendidly realized by exhibition designer Michael Lapthorn.
OUR SCENE BY JOHN TOWNSEND
ITALIAN STRAW HAT
Through Feb. 3 Ordway Music Theater, 345 Washington St. St. Paul 612-333-6669 www.mnopera.org Anyone familiar with The Godfather films and those of Federico Fellini know of the glorious swelling beauty of Nino Rota’s music. He is considered by many to be the greatest film composer. However, Rota also gave us an opera. At the Ordway you can see set and costume designer Lorenzo Cutuli’s work in Minnesota Opera’s Italian Straw Hat. Cutuli says, “This production transfers the action to what has become, in the contemporary imagination, a nostalgic era of lost innocence. Costumes, sets and props evoke a sentimental, picturepostcard image of 1950s Paris, a concept that is encapsulated by the fact that the stage itself is an enormous postcard. Characters take on the guise of actors in a film, an intertextual reference to Rota’s day job.”
THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH
Feb. 7-Mar. 3 Park Square Theatre, 20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul
651-291-7005 www.parksquaretheatre.org Girl Friday Productions continues its commitment to American classic plays with their revival of the epic comedy in which gay master playwright Thornton Wilder threw the rules out the window. The Skin of Our Teeth follows a nuclear family from the Stone Age to the decadence of Atlantic City to a dystopia of war zones and refugees. Yet through it all, the resilience of human beings still wins out. One of the play’s many great lines is: “We made it through the depression by the skin of our teeth—that’s true!—one more tight squeeze like that and where will we be?” Director Joel Sass pointed out before the rehearsal process began that “so many people read the play the first time and cannot believe It was written in 1942. The Skin of Our Teeth still feels utterly fresh, edgy, funny, and topical—and if it were written this year it would still be worthy of its Pulitzer Prize. A particular joy of working on this production will be the double opportunity to collaborate with a handful of people I’ve known and grown with for nearly two decades—and
The Italian Straw Hat. Photo by Clive Barda
another group of amazing talents I have admired around town but not yet worked with. Together we will tackle this ‘mammoth’ of a script and bring its humor, political critique, and optimism to a new audience.”
“AN EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTION OF A PERFECT MUSICAL” —The New York Times
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OUR SCENE
TRAVEL | BY MIKE MARCOTTE | PHOTOS BY MIKE MARCOTTE
The Celebrity Edge is Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, which began service in December 2018.
Living Life Out On The ‘Edge’ The rooms are claustrophobic. You have to sit with the random people at dinner. There is not enough to do. When I asked people on Instagram and Twitter their reservations as to why they haven’t taken a cruise, responses flooded in. But these folks have not experienced what the Celebrity Edge has to offer. I had the honor of traveling on the Edge—Celebrity Cruises’ newest and most technologically-advanced ship—off the shores of Florida in November. The ship will spend its inaugural winter in the Caribbean and will travel the summer of 2019 traveling from Rome to Barcelona. Once aboard, I immediately noticed the extra space in my infinite veranda stateroom (bedroom). 99 percent of beds on the Celebrity Edge are king-sized, but the rooms are designed so you do not feel cramped.
Quite a view to wake up to. Continued on page 14
OUR SCENE BY MIKE MARCOTTE
TAKE A GLBT CRUISE ON A CELEBRITY SHIP IN 2019!
Live comfortably in an stateroom with plenty of storage space.
A hot tub with views of the pool below and surrounded by ocean. A great way to vacation!
The indoor balconies in staterooms aboard the Edge are a delightful bonus. They are designed so there is no wall between the veranda and the room itself, so it helps elongate the space. Pro tip: always book a stateroom with a veranda. Sleeping with the window open and hearing the sound of the ocean waves is worth the cost. There was ample closet and storage space in my stateroom, allowing us to unpack two very full suitcases. That’s one of my favorite parts about taking a cruise: your closet travels with you. Technology on the Edge is apparent everywhere, especially in the staterooms. The balcony windows are electronically operated by a master control inside the room. That same panel will let you set the temperature and will adjust lights to morning, evening, movie and sleep settings. The Celebrity Edge comes with a companion phone app, allowing you to open your room and control settings no matter where you are on the ship. If you still believe rooms on cruise ships are tiny, stay in an Edge Villa, a two-story luxury residence which is a first-of-a-kind in the Celebrity fleet. The 950 square-foot residence can comfortably sleep four. You also get access to a private sundeck, dining room and lounge. Or consider the 2,500 square-foot Iconic Suite, which is nestled above the bridge of the ship. Like the entire fleet of Celebrity ships, the Edge offers great dining options. The Oceanview Cafe on Deck 14 is open 24 hours a day and received a beautiful, modern remodel. Make sure to sample the Indian Foods. Passengers on the Edge actually have the choice from four complimentary restaurants, serving up nods to French, Italian and Greek cuisine. That’s in addition to the specialty restaurants aboard.
Gone are the days of being stuck with a 5:30 daily dinner time with random people you don’t know. When booking with Celebrity, you have the option to dine when you wish. While you are at sea, you can call to book a reservation— just like you would at a restaurant in town—and sit with whoever you want. If you travel with a group that splits off during the day, knowing that you will all reunite for dinner at 7:30 can be a really good thing. The Celebrity Edge’s wine selection is just as impressive as the food created by its Michelin-starred chef. The Edge carries 500 varietals of vino, and Celebrity has more Wine Spectator Awards than any other cruise line in the world. Looking at the ship overall, what I felt Celebrity did best with designing the Edge was how they utilized common spaces. Not a single area was wasted, which in turn provides passengers more opportunities to gather and share laughs over cocktails, soak in a hot tub overlooking ocean waters, or take in a show at the theater. From Eden, the Edge’s newest lounge-entertainment hybrid, to the casino, to the spa, to the dance club, there is plenty to do, day or night. And you can’t forget about the dozens of activities planned each day by Celebrity staff. Pro tip: if you are on a Celebrity cruise with a ‘silent disco’ happening, you must attend. Celebrity is a strong supporter of the GLBT community and it’s evident in the programming they offer on board. While cruising on Celebrity, I have attended GLBT meet-ups (typically on the first night of the cruise), where you can meet other passengers. And if you’re looking for specific activities or ways to connect, don’t be afraid to ask! Cruise and Activities Directors will add in events based on demand. Celebrity’s work is well recognized. GayTravel.com named
• Atlantis (men) — Caribbean cruise aboard the Celebrity Edge March 17-24, 2019 • Olivia (women) — Caribbean cruise aboard the Celebrity Summit April 27-May 5, 2019 • Vacaya (men and women) — New York to Provincetown cruise aboard the Celebrity Summit Aug. 11-18, 2019
Celebrity did a fantastic job planning common areas on the Edge, making sure every space was functional, yet gorgeous. The Grand Foyer is a prime example.
them as the best GLBT-friendly cruise line for 2018. There is a unparalleled level of class across Celebrity’s entire fleet. My voyage on the Edge was my fourth cruise aboard a Celebrity ship, and every time I go, I meet the best people and experience the finest service. You won’t find hairy chest contests planned on the daily schedule. While aboard the Edge, someone said to me that you can’t define class; you have to experience it. So go explore the world with class! To book your next vacation with Celebrity Cruises, start at www.celebrity.com. Mike Marcotte is Twin Cities Live’s Local Guy About Town. You can watch him weekdays at 3:00 p.m. on KSTP-TV and read more from his travels on his website, www.givemethemike.com. Continued on page 20
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Thursday, February 7
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OUR SCENE
TRAVEL | BY CARLA WALDEMAR | PHOTOS COURTESY OF KWE PARTNERS
A stay in Puerto Vallarta guarantees a picture-perfect view.
Puerto Paradise Pray that a tsunami never hits Puerto Vallarta, the beach playground on the Pacific Ocean’s coast. It would deprive us of Mexico’s premier gay destination. While you may spot stray straight folks wandering the oceanside Malecon promenade, they’re probably Canadian and didn’t get the memo. The city’s won the informal title as the San Francisco of Mexico, but here the weather’s better and the prices far less punishing. Gay Pride, established in 2013, occurs Memorial Day weekend, but gay tourism is hot-hothot all year ’round, with scads of dedicated bars, nightclubs, saunas and hotels, although the entire city—especially the Zona Romantica, anchored by the gay beach Los Muertos—is mucho friendly. And packing’s easy. You won’t need much more than a Speedo. The city was pretty much of a tourist nothing before Liz Taylor and Richard Burton camped out here while filming The Night of the Iguana in the 1960s. (Co-star Ava Gardner made her share of headlines in the gossip columns, too.) Since then, tourism has become the town’s main industry, so English is spoken everywhere. And we never met a crabby Mexican. The only bit of snark we encountered were the spot-on t-shirts declaring we were on “the fun side of the wall.” No lie. What to do here? Well, not much except relax. No starchy museums to check off your list. No theater to speak of, nor “formal” concerts. Instead, It’s vivid mariachi bands and the per-
Casa Velas is a lush, all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta, complete with a golf course.
formance art enacted spontaneously by locals along the Malecon—the best of which is the ritual Saturday night promenade, when Mexican families descend in three generations to stroll aside the sea and stop at food stalls for cups of corn kernels slathered with chilies and mayo or skewers of barbecued shrimp on a stick. Open-air restaurants bordering the wide, wide boardwalk specialize in seafood. And margaritas. And cervezas. Midway in your stroll along the mile-long Malecon, you can spot Puerto Vallarta’s iconic city symbol, the charming church of Our Lady of Guadaloupe, all sparkling white and gleaming gold, rising to a steeple topped with a huge silver crown.
Puerto Vallarta boasts the cleanest beaches in all Mexico, and all along the Malecon they beckon. Or turn away from the ocean and follow the paved path alongside the river that runs up into the mountains through lush jungle greenery, a stroll along what’s known as Gringo Gulch. Along the way, pause at a taco truck ($1 each, big spenders!). Join the crowd seated curbside on little plastic stools, grab a napkin, and layer on the salsa. Or meander to the cluster of art galleries that line Guadaloupe Sanchez Street, parallel to the waterfront, for window-shopping (art crawls Wednesday evenings). The so-called crafts markets all sell identical tacky trinkets, most likely made in China. Continued on page 18
e eeLtoTovoteh! ShdualgreeYoturhSw In
On Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re donating 100% of our
dessert sales to Animal Allies Humane Society. Join us for dine-in, delivery or carry-out. Thursday, February 14th
When you buy your sweetheart a dessert you'll also be sharing some puppy love. Last year you helped us raise over $8,600 for Animal Humane Society.
TRAVEL BY CARLA WALDEMAR
We divided our visit between two versions of the city, staying for a couple of nights right in the heart of the Zona Romantica, walking the (safe, clean) streets to gape at the local boutiques and dine in small, sweet informal cafes like Mole de Jovita, offering tastes of its three mole sauces—chocolate, green and yellow— before ordering. We chose the touristy—and delicious—combination plates featuring the line-up of typical fare you’d find on a Mexican menu here at home—enchiladas, tacos, tamales—but worlds better, fueled by a margarita that’s pure alcohol, only briefly visited by lime. We indulged in fresh seafood at Martini en Fuego, where the owner brought out complimentary starters and unordered gifts of Caesar salad, plus shots of mescal before we departed, stuffed with guac, shrimp and sea bass. Each morning we elbowed through the crowds at Fredy’s Tucan for our fix of fruit plate (fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple and papaya, abetted by a squirt of lime) followed by chiles rellenos or huevos rancheros, complete with steaming tortillas, all delivered by what’s probably the world’s most friendly and attentive staff.
Puerto Vallarta is a hotbed of amazing, exquisite cuisine.
But we discovered the shrimp burrito of our dreams at the resort where we’d started our trip. Casa Velas is a beyond-lovely paradise— picture a lush jungle carved out to embrace a hacienda of 80 rooms (ours with a plunge pool on our balcony) for adults only, fronting a green golf course only minutes (five!) from the airport. Better yet, it’s all-inclusive, so you’re never left fumbling for your wallet or signing chits that mar the mood. No dreadful buffet lines, either: Every meal at its casual-chic restaurant, Emiliano’s, is a la carte—best enjoyed on the poolside patio. One night, a mariachi band sprang out to
entertain us; another evening a chanteuse crooned at the (also outdoor) bar where Benny, the ’tender, taught us how to mix a perfect margarita and led tequila tastings. The spa’s massage team melted away any travel kinks, and the pool, patrolled by the resident peacock and iguanas—did the rest. Its attendant’s frequent offers of margaritas didn’t hurt either. When you decide to exchange the pool for the ocean, simply hop in the resort’s shuttle for a five-minute drive to its private Ocean Club. There, just beyond another pool, the surf slurps the sand and pelicans swoop above the foam as you dive in, or simply stroll the endless expanse of toasty sand. The Ocean Club also boasts its own café for lunch and dinner and excels in seafood (crab timbale, anyone? Fish tacos? Tuna tartare?) Or head, some evening, to the Casa’s sister property to kick back in its Asian restaurant. Nearly half of the Casa’s guests are repeaters; one lady, completing her 20th visit, was busy making a rez for number 21. Want to start your own tradition? Contact www.hotelcasavelas.com.
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Romantic Dining For 2019 BY JOY SUMMERS
These long, dark nights are best spent by low, warm lights in the company of your person. The past year has brought a new crop of restaurants with seductive lighting and dishes worth lingering over. These are the top picks to visit before those long nights get shorter.
del Prado’s second restaurant, but the joy of the food and staff has it more like a taste of vacation, even on the coldest MN winter day. Order several things and share to get the best dining experience, including the negrita cocktail presented atop rose petals.
COLITA
EASTSIDE
5400 Penn Ave. S., Minneapolis 612-886-1606 www.colitampls.com Styled like a desert oasis, Colita sports smooth white walls, succulents planted into rocks along the exterior, and a lush walled bar. It’s there that cocktails (including low and zero-proof) are being poured forth into all manner of trippy containers. From the kitchen comes dishes placed atop all manner of masa creations, with lush, crunchy, pliable tortillas made from corn, especially fermented just for the chef. Colita is chef/owner Daniel
305 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis 612-208-1638 eastsidempls.com Jamie Malone is the restaurant makeover queen. The Food & Wine Best New Chef made Grand Cafe into a French bistro that had Minneapolis all abuzz. Now, she’s turned her attention to this restaurant in the downtown area. There’s a sleek ’90s vibe and tons of dishes to share with friends. Luxuriate over the mahogany roast duck or mar vel at the boneless whole roast fish and toast the phenomenal wine list or a few of the delight-to-tip cocktails.
Colita. Photo courtesy of Colita
Eastside. Photo by Isabel Subtil Continued on page 22
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IN BLOOM
Wilde Cafe & Spirits. Photo courtesy of Kim Anderson
928 7th St. W., St Paul 651-237-9630 www.inbloomstp.com Slide into the little booths that look like they were upholstered with fabric swiped from Prince’s wardrobe and take in the floor show before the massive wood-fueled hearth at In Bloom. The dangling calla lily blossom light fixture slowly winks through pastel colors. The food walks a delicate balance of masculine and feminine with hunks of roast meat, sliced and adorned with thoughtful touches and finished with edible flowers. Its hearty, delicate, earthy, ethereal mix makes for a singular dinner best built for two.
POPOL VUH 1414 Quincy St., Minneapolis 612-345-5527 popolvuhmpls.com The mix of dark moss green and lightly tanned leather signal entr y into the cozy, slightly fancier half of this new Northeast dual restaurant. The fine-dining Mexican cuisine is as beautifully presented as it is fun to eat. The fire crackles in the corner as the staff constantly lowers and rises the grill to catch just the right amount of char. The pork tostada are the most succulent presentation of tender, rich meat delicately placed atop chewy, tender crisp tortilla. Pair with a glass of Mexican chardonnay or one of the bar’s fantastic cocktails.
LAT 14 8815 7th Ave. N., Golden Valley 763-400-7910 www.lat14.com Stepping past the humble exterior and into the window-surrounded dining room is like slipping into the most comfortably, elegant special occasion outfit in your closet. Effortlessly beautiful, it gives you an air of sophisticated confidence before even touching a menu. Start with the crispy fried lumpia, the Filipino upgrade on an eggroll: it’s fun hold-it-in-your-hand eating. Move on to a giant mound of sweet, salty fried rice or chef Ann Ahmed’s take on green papaya salad topped with chicharron (crispy fried pork cracklings.) Pair with the jaw-on-the floor gorgeousness found in a cocktail glass from this bar, like the violet, frothy and floral garnished Anchan
In Bloom. Photo by Tink Social
HYACINTH 790 Grand Ave., Saint Paul 651-478-1822 www.hyacinthstpaul.com This sly little spot on Grand Avenue feels like it could have been transported from some beyond-hip Brooklyn neighborhood. That might be in part because the owner, Rikki Giambruno, relocated along with his crew from New York here. The Italian bistro is teeming nearly ever y night with locals who are thrilled to have this level of cooking available within walking distance. The fusilli tossed with kale, pine nuts and ricotta are worth driving across town to tr y. Pastas are really where this golden-lit restaurant shines. Linger over a glass of wine and long conversations in an intimate atmosphere.
WILDE CAFE & SPIRITS 65 Main St. SE, Minneapolis 612-331-4544 www.wildecafe.com This classic is under new ownership, which means it’s time to revisit the community-owned restaurant. Slide into the cozy restaurant with the sexy lighting and tuck into one of the intimate nooks. The Wilde crab cakes are perfect for sharing and pair beautifully with a highball and hand-holding.
P.S. STEAK 510 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis 612-886-1620 www.psmpls.com The grand dame of dining rooms has risen as the new restaurant inside the gilded first floor of 510 Groveland has opened to a throng of excited guests. If anything, dining here is even more occasion-worthy than ever. Drive up to the door with easy valet and choose a dining experience: the more casual lounge or the steepedin-handsome-darkness dining room. The bar sports a crackling fire and sultr y lighting. The dining room is a seductive den of masculinity ser ving massive steaks and a whole-roast pheasant for feasting. Even though it just opened, the experienced staff behind the place, including chef Mike DeCamp who ran the day-to-day kitchen back when it was La Belle Vie, operate like a well-oiled, fine dining machine.
Dine. Drink. Repeat.
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All That
Glitters Is Gild
Get ready for Valentine’s Day with shiny finds at New Gild Jewelers.
New Gild is a jewelry retailer in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. Photo by Kelsey Lee-Karol
BY KASSIDY TARALA
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, jewelry ad after jewelry ad is thrown at us from every direction. Suddenly, every commercial break, Facebook sponsor, and radio ad is telling us they have the perfect item for our significant others. While we roll our eyes at the mountain of Kay and Jared ads, there is one jeweler that has been sneaking under the radar for far too long, but now New Gild Jewelers is ready to shine brightly. New Gild Jewelers opened in April 2017 after owner Jen Bellefleur discovered that her true passion doesn’t just lie in working for a jeweler but in being a jeweler. After a career in business and a personal interest in art, Bellefleur decided to forgo business and pursue a new form of art: jewelry. “I was working for another jeweler, and I thought, ‘why am I doing this for someone else when I could be doing it for myself?’ So in fewer than 90 days, we opened New Gild, and I’ve never had a job as fulfilling and valuable as this one where I get to connect with couples in their most personal moments,” Bellefleur says. She says New Gild is different from other jewelers because their mission isn’t to just sell products and make money, but they strive to connect with clients and genuinely get to know them and what they are looking for. “We work intuitively from our first contact to nurture ideas that will be right for our clients. At our initial meeting, we ask lots of questions about the recipient, whether it’s for the customer or to be gifted. We often begin fielding ideas at this very first encounter, and we work to ensure that our process is communicated as well,” she says. “This holds true whether we work together to create custom earrings or help to design an engagement ring!” New Gild offers a full spectrum of jewelry services, including a gallery of ready-to-wear, one-of-a-kind fine jewelry
and full custom engagement and wedding jewelry. Bellefleur says they especially like to do custom projects with older pieces of jewelry that are no longer worn. “We can expertly and lovingly restore rare antiques and vintage items to their original beauty. Our team has extensive gemology experience and can help to identify and care for your special gems as well as source amazing diamonds and precious stones to create new dreams,” she says. Want to learn all about diamonds? Bellefleur says clients can also come to the store for additional information as well as appraisals, pearl re-stringing, and general jewelry repairs—even watch batteries. In addition to standard jewelry services, New Gild has a lot more to offer than the typical jewelry store. Bellefleur says New Gild is very involved in the community from employing locals to offering public education curriculum, which teaches people about jewelry to avoid being sold a low quality item at a high price. For several reasons, New Gild is the new age of jewelers. But with Valentine’s Day coming up, Bellefleur says it can be good to stick to the classics, too. “Red is a classic for Valentine’s Day, which ensures rubies pride of place as a lover’s gift. Low quality and heavily treated rubies are plentiful, but truly special specimens with bright, vibrant color and an absence of fracture filling are a treat,” Bellefleur says. “We have a .40 carat Burmese ruby that is exceptionally bright and glowing and is sure to bring joy.” The ruby is set in 14K yellow gold with a 14K yellow gold chain with a lobster clasp and is priced at $1,070. While rubies are a classic choice for the season, New Gild offers all gems and stones to match anyone’s personal style. Bellefleur says she works to serve all clientele, especially GLBT couples. She says that even before she opened New Gild, she was passionate about making GLBT couples feel welcome and safe, which is reflected in the way she operates New Gild today.
New Gild's team has extensive gemology experience and can help to identify and care for customer's jewels and gemstones. Photo by Jen Bellefleur
“We are grateful to be a resource for our clients who love each other, no matter who they are,” she says. Many customers come to New Gild unsure of what it is exactly that they’re looking for, which is where Bellefleur and other staff members come in. Bellefleur says many clients aren’t visual people, so they need the jewelers at New Gild to serve as their imagination. “We work to establish a connection with our clients to better understand them. We’re constantly trying to get in our clients’ minds to determine what exactly they need and what they or their significant other would truly love,” she says. As a veteran herself, Bellefleur says it’s important that she gives back to veterans, which New Gild does by offering discounts and special offers to veterans in the area. They also support the community by offering contests and scholarships, she says. For more information about New Gild Jewelers, visit newgild.com.
NEW GILD JEWELERS 4250 Uptown Ave. S. Minneapolis 612-402-0561
New Gild deals in both custom jewelry and ready-to-wear goods. Photo by Kelsey Lee-Karol
Karri Plowman and Tynan Fox are the owners of Twin Cities Leather & Latte. Photo courtesy of Twin Cities Leather & Latte
Kinky With A Side of Caffeine Twin Cities Leather & Latte has everything we need: a little coffee and a lot of kinky. BY KASSIDY TARALA
Nothing says “Valentine’s Day” quite like a fucksaw! If you’re looking to add a little something extra to the bedroom (bathroom, kitchen, living room… we won’t judge) this Valentine’s Day, Twin Cities Leather & Latte will undoubtedly have you covered. From bondage gear and clothing to lube and sex furniture, TCL&L has something for everyone’s kinky speed. After the only leather shop in the Twin Cities closed in 2012, Tynan Fox and Karri Plowman knew that the community was about to suffer a great loss. Which is why they wasted no time starting their own leather shop in the basement of a mansion in Loring Park in December 2012. “It wasn’t much, but it was enough to recognize that the services we provide hold great value to the local community. People would frequently come in to shop but also just hang out with us and be a part of it all. We had to close this location in June 2013 due to a zoning issue, but we didn’t give up,” Plowman says. “Recognizing that people want to have a place to meet in the cities, we found a property which had been a successful coffee shop for the past ten years. Although we never really intended to become a leather and coffee shop, it seemed like a natural way to provide both retail service and community meeting space, and thus, Leather & Latte was born.” Ever since, TCL&L has been bringing the community closer than ever before (literally). Plowman says their mission is to serve, grow, fortify, and nurture the kinky community in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and beyond. When you shop with TCL&L, you can rest assured you are supporting a business by kinky people, for kinky people, he says. TCL&L proudly sells durable, quality, and affordable sex toys and leather goods. All products are rigorously vetted before being placed on their shelves, including bondage gear, insertables, lube, and other sex-furniture, Plowman says. “We also manufacture our own line of leather harnesses and other clothing and accept alterations and repairs of our commu-
nity’s most prized possessions,” he says. “All our harnesses are custom fit on the spot, because we believe that no matter your size, you deserve to look and feel great in a custom piece design especially for you!” Though leather shops are rather popular in the GLBT community, Plowman says TCL&L is unlike any other. “We have an undying commitment to the leather and BDSM community. We’re not just a local leather shop or your standard run-of-the-mill sex toy store. We strive to provide our community with the tools and education they need to partake in these activities safely—we would never sell an item of poor quality that doesn’t accomplish its intended purpose,” he says. In addition to providing the community kinks galore, Plowman says they also give back to the community through donations and sponsorships for local leather clubs and events, offering the coffee shop as a meeting space for local organizations, and collecting donations for YouthLinkMN.
Twin Cities Leather & Latte offers a wide array of kinky goodness, from bondage gear and clothing to lube and sex furniture. Photo courtesy of Twin Cities Leather & Latte
“When you shop at Twin Cities Leather & Latte, you can rest assured your money will be reinvested into the local community, making this a better place for all of us,” Plowman says. If you’re looking for a unique romantic gift this Valentine’s Day (or any day… what’s stopping you?), TCL&L has you covered. Plowman suggests that you start off simple if this is your first time experimenting with BDSM. He says a fitted harness can be fun both in and out of the bedroom, and blindfolds—for both partners—can offer an entirely new experience. “Try going at it with one another without being able to see. See if the slight sensory deprivation does anything for your romp,” Plowman says. “But if you’re a beginner, be sure to start small. You want to work your way up to the Fucksaw!” For more information about Twin Cities Leather & Latte, visit www.twincitiesleather.com.
TWIN CITIES LEATHER & LATTE 2717 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis 612-756-9825
Stop in and shop our wide selection of wedding rings, including the largest selection of meteorite wedding bands in the Twin Cities.
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OUR LIVES
SENIOR LIVING | BY KASSIDY TARALA
Brotherly Love
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly forms friendships between older adults and volunteers. As we all grow older, we prepare ourselves for the day when the roles between parent and child reverse themselves. From finding them assisted living to keeping them company in what might otherwise feel like a very isolated period in life, children typically become the caregivers of the ones who once cared for us. But for seniors who never had children, don’t live nearby, or aren’t in communication with them, the isolation can be nearly inescapable. Which is why organizations like Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly are working extra hard to spread the love to those who need it most. Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly is a nonprofit that connects older adults in the Twin Cities with volunteers to prevent and alleviate isolation and loneliness. With nearly 1,000 program participants each year, volunteers offer home visits, advocacy, and social activities to seniors who are in need of some company. In 2018, volunteers provided 15,050 hours of service and 4,172 home visits to isolated seniors. According to LBFE data, more than 230,000 people over the age of 65 currently reside in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Of these, about 17 percent—or 39,000 people— live alone or lack the social support of family and friends, which is critical to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. LBFE offers a variety of companionship programs based on the specific needs of each participant. The Visiting Companions program matches elders one-to-one with volunteers who visit and establish a friendship to make the senior feel connected and valued. Companions are matched based on shared Photo courtesy of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly interests and location. The Phone Companions Image courtesy of Little Brothers reduce the risk of isolation,” Speeter says. “Let’s program connects isolated seniors with volunteers Friends of the Elderly Do Lunch Café has been so successful that it has who regularly talk on the phone. The Friendship expanded into St. Paul with lunches held every second and Flowers program provides isolated, homebound seniors and nursing home residents with short visits from volunteers on the third Tuesday at the Wilder Community Center for Aging.” People can get involved with LBFE by volunteering, donating or Saturday of the month. Volunteers bring gift bags of fresh flowers and sponsoring an event, and referring seniors to the program. In addition cookies provided by LBFE, and it is a very popular family volunteering opportunity. Lastly, LBFE offers several different social engagement to volunteer roles in the different visitation programs, people can also opportunities including bingo, craft groups, holiday events, and “Let’s volunteer for behind-the-scenes roles in office and program assistance, Do Lunch Café” for GLBT seniors and allies. All of these services are social media, and photography. New volunteers must complete and online volunteer application and background check in addition to attending free for participants. LBFE Director of Communications and Marketing LuAnne Speeter a two-hour orientation session. For donations and sponsorships, LBFE says GLBT people comprise a significant number of LBFE’s programs, invites people to participate in one of its three upcoming fundraisers: the and GLBT participants can request to be matched with a volunteer who Friends for Life Lunch on March 7, Wingo (wine tasting and bingo) on June 6, and the Not Alone 4K on Sept. 29. is also GLBT. LBFE welcomes self-referrals as well as referrals from those who “Since 2015, LBFE has partnered with Prime Timers MSP in hosting our monthly Let’s Do Lunch Café. The Café started through a PFund know an isolated or lonely person over the age of 65. To volunteer, dogrant as an opportunity for older LGBTQ community members and nate, or make a referral, call 612-721-1400 or visit littlebrothersmn.org. allies to come together to share a lunch ‘on the house’ and learn about community services and self-advocacy. It’s held each fourth Friday of the month at LBFE in Minneapolis in an atmosphere that’s relaxed and welcoming while helping LGBTQ seniors stay socially engaged and
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly 1845 E. Lake St. Minneapolis 612-721-6215
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis
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OUR HOMES
OUR RIDES | BY RANDY STERN | PHOTOS BY RANDY STERN
2019 Jaguar I-Pace The race is on to produce the best electric vehicle in the world. But how? It takes continuous work on battery technology, along with advancing the engineering of its electric motors and creating a design that befits the performance from its system without polarizing potential customers. So far, Tesla has jumped in the lead. With its three-model lineup, they have shown how to create a propulsion system with longer battery ranges that will ease anxiety for its owners. Yet, they have been stumbling on various fronts— from financial stability to vehicle quality. With these issues causing havoc at Tesla, the door has opened up for new players in this luxury electric vehicle business. Each new entrant has been working on extending battery range to 250 miles on a single charge and beyond while developing a design that customers will like and accessible to their tastes. These new entrants vying to meet and exceed Tesla’s lead just happen to be from some the most established automobile manufacturers in the world. One of those contenders is the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace. This is not a left-field entry, since Jaguar and its parent company, Tata, have been working with battery electric propulsion systems in a motorsports environment. What Jaguar and Tata learned from Formula E racing have been translated onto a sporty four-door luxury crossover that is seen here. To find out more about the Jaguar I-Pace— and to give a test drive—we chatted with Jason Hinchcliff and Ben Weaver of Jaguar Land Rover Minneapolis about this newest entry in the electric vehicle market. The first we wanted to know was why has Jaguar jumped into the EV market. Hinchcliff explains that “Jaguar’s been a brand that’s about style. It’s a racing car brand in the beginning, and about style. Everybody knew when a Jaguar goes by, they know it’s a Jaguar. They really put that into this car. This is made by a car company and not a tech company. They wanted the cleanliness of the interior, they didn’t want it to be too confusing like some other cars. They wanted it simple, but stylish. The finish is very, very well appointed. And I think you can see that.” In terms of how customers will own and drive the I-Pace, Hinchcliff also explains that “(for) most of our customers, this is definitely
Jason Hinchcliff of Jaguar Land Rover Minneapolis with the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace.
their second car. It’s not their only car. So, you have that flexibility. They have that flexibility to take their [Chevrolet] Suburban up north, and [the I-Pace] is their everyday driver where they got 30 miles to work and back, and they can charge it in their house charger, the regular charger, and be fine every day. They don’t have to worry about charging it.” Jason Hinchcliff of Jaguar Land Rover Minneapolis with the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace But, why did Jaguar—and Land Rover/ Range Rover—choose to have their first full-battery electric vehicle as a crossover? “They’re branching out into all sorts of different products,” Hinchcliff explains. “They’re going both feet in and they’re going hard at it. Now every product that comes up the next six months will have an electrified version, which is kind of interesting. Even a Range Rover Sport, full-sized Range Rover, they’re [going to have] have hybrid options. And then any product coming out in the future will have a hybrid option, or be electric.” After the customer has gone through the sales process with Hinchcliff and his fellow sales staff, the customer will meet Weaver, who is part of Jaguar Land Rover Minneapolis’ Encore Department. Weaver will assist the new IPace customer on everything from vehicle delivery to post-sales support. That also includes specific items related to the I-Pace. “I would give them the information about the charging infrastructure when it comes to their home or all the charging available abil-
ity around the Twin Cities,” explains Weaver, “Also, just the capability when it comes to the range of the vehicle, the maintenance that comes with the vehicle or, with the I-PACE, the lack thereof maintenance that comes with the vehicle. Just everything about what it means to be driving an electric vehicle.” That information also includes aligning resources to the customer. Weaver could point out to mobile apps that will find charging stations away from home – including Level 3 Fast-
OUR RIDES BY RANDY STERN
Chargers which you can use on the I-Pace – as well as places to purchase and install home charging units if their home is not equipped. With this talk of charging infrastructure and battery life, one big concern for electric vehicle customers would be on range. Jaguar officially stated that their full battery range is 234 miles for the I-Pace. Yet, in reality, there are variances due to the climate in the Upper Midwest. In other words, your actual range will vary depending on air temperature, whether your garage is heated and insulated well, and so forth. About the rest of the Jaguar I-Pace, you will find that it is a wonderful vehicle to drive. The ride quality is superb, as is the handling and cornering experience. The ride is also helped to have the Active Air Suspension to make things smoother—and allows the vehicle to drop down 0.4 inches when driven at 65 MPH or above. It also helps that the battery pack sits between the axles for a low center of gravity inducing superb lateral. There is no mistaking this electric vehicle for a Jaguar: a truly sporting experience overall. With electric vehicles, you do get the burst
of immediate torque from the two motors, one for each axle. Total power is rated at 354 horsepower with a whopping 512 pound-feet of torque. And yes, you do feel all of that torque right off the bat. Gone are the days of Jaguars past with its burled wood dashboards, Jaeger instrumentation, and rich Connolly leather. The I-Pace continues the theme of Jaguar’s newest vehicles: a driver-focused cockpit with a lot of new technology surrounding you. The instrument binnacle itself is a full TFT screen that is customizable with a choice of gauges and readouts. The center stack features a dual touchscreen set-up. The upper screen houses the infotainment system with its new graphical interface, while the lower screen is set for and the climate control and other comfort settings. Everything inside the I-Pace is of the highest quality in terms of switchgear and materials. The I-Pace offers a sporting seat arrangement with plenty of bolstering for support. The leather feels great and in all, the driver feels comfortable behind the wheel. There are plenty of electrically-operated adjustments available for all drivers to experience the feel of this EV.
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Rear seat room is fine for average-sized adults. The most important piece of the I-Pace is its sexy silhouette punctuated by a sleek coupelike profile. A higher ground clearance is the only giveaway of its intentions as a crossover, but it has the sexy lines and signature details that make it a Jaguar. Because there are electric motors on board, you do get a front cargo compartment that fits a few more bags—just a hair short of a full cubic feet of space—along with a spacious 25.3 cubic feet rear space that is expandable with the sear seats down to 51.0 cubic feet. Pricing for the I-Pace starts at $69,500. Our tester was the First Edition model that is fully specified. The price tag starts at $85,900 for the First Edition. It would be easy for us to present the Jaguar I-Pace as the absolute answer in full-battery electric crossovers. There are plenty of choices available: some are months away from arriving in their respective showrooms. We can safely say without mentioning a certain competitor from the Silicon Valley that the Jaguar I-Pace is an electric vehicle worth considering—and owning.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
OUR LAVENDER
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